by Belle Kayce
“Thanks to me! All thanks to me! And I don’t even get paid!” Bo shouts from the top of the stairs. Lance and I exchange secret smiles- no wonder we both were wearing red- as he whisks me away from prying wolf ears.
***
We’re already driving to an unknown location for me, and Lance keeps looking at me. We finally stop by a park I’ve never visited. Lance opens the door for me, helping me get out.
“It’s nice weather,” Lance explains, “so I thought that we could... Have a picnic next to the lake.”
“Awww,” I knew Lance thought this whole thing through. He takes out a picnic basket and blanket from the trunk.
“If you hate it- I also reserved a place at a restaurant so just-” he stops talking when I wrap my arms around him and kiss him.
“I’ve always wanted to go on a picnic date,” I explain, leaving Lance in a little bit of a dazed look, and a slight flush on his cheeks. He’s so cute.
Hand in hand, Lance leads me to where we’re going to sit. Some humans are walking, children are laughing at the playground. And he’s right- the weather isn’t too chilly or too hot but perfect.
“It’s so nice to just be outside,” I say. “And eat.” We pick out the spot that was as close to the lake as possible, spreading the blanket at the perfect spot.
Lance opens up the picnic basket, pulling out sandwiches, fruit, chips, carrots, cheese and when Lance took out the brownies, I wanted to eat them right then and there. But alas, society standards and eating the best part of the meal last was the cause of it all.
Lance hands me a cold water bottle and a sandwich. “Compliments from Cook.” It was a chicken caprese sandwich, which was amazing. Somehow, they were still warm too. “This is delicious.”
“Mhmmm,” Lance agrees, finishing the bite. “Tell me your favorite childhood memory.”
I smile, wondering about it for a bit. “Well...it’s embarrassing because it was a human thing to do.” I stare at the lake even though Lance is intently looking at me. “One time, my parents let Julia and I go to the fair when I was 11 years old. Lisa had to watch us. We didn’t know what it was really, the fair, just that it had tons of fried food. It was my first time riding a pony and I loved it so much.” I close my eyes remembering exactly the moment where the human helped me up the pony, and the poor ponies were just walking around in circles while the rest of the human children- and myself- were happily riding it. I continue, “It was such a great feeling, I went about five times before Julia got tired of it. I ate so much that day too, my parents gave me $5 and Julia had $10 so we bought and ate fried funnel cake, cotton candy and peanuts. Afterwards, Julia dared me to go on the Ferris wheel and I’m afraid of heights, but against my better judgement, I did go. When the ride started, I started to cry the entire way up. Of course, the Ferris wheel stopped right as we were on top, and I think I cried harder before Julia threatened to push me off if I didn’t stop. So I did, but I had my eyes closed. Julia told me for a moment to just open them. It was nighttime then too. I did open it, and I never felt bigger or better at the moment. I remember like it was yesterday. I got to see everything below me, I got to see the city lights and for those couple of seconds, it was like the world stopped and everything was just right. Perfect. I remember feeling amazed. Shortly after, Julia told me that I finally did shut up.”
I glance at Lance to gauge his reaction. He’s giving me a tender look that squeezes my heart in the best way possible. “It seemed as though you had a good childhood,” he finally comments. “I’m glad.” For some reason, I think of Sargon. How he didn’t have a good childhood. How much I was fortunate enough to have a good one. Even if everything was sort of a lie.
“What about you?” I ask him, genuinely interested, “what was your favorite childhood memory?”
Lance muses a little, taking a bite of his sandwich and hums a little. “Just being with Zeke and my Dad…Reggie, Iggy everyone else. I grew up with vampires. They didn’t like me because of what I was, but they also don’t like Zeke either and took it out on him.”
“Who doesn’t like Zeke and would hurt him?” my eyes widen.
“Jealous vampires who don’t know anything,” Lance replies. His voice holding an undercurrent of anger to it. “His story to tell you one day. I didn’t know just how much support I had until I left my home and went to Xavier to see what it meant to be a werewolf. My dad was hesitant to let me go when I was 13.” Lance has a faraway look in his eyes.
With the ugliness that was Lance’s biological father, I’m relieved he had his good moments. Lance takes me hand, kissing it. “I’d say I had a good childhood when I try to think about the good moments. There was really good moments.”
After we ate our almost dinner, and me being stuffed, reaching the car Lance tells me, “So now you’re going to get blindfolded.”
“Wow Lance didn’t know you were into that,” I couldn’t help but say, blushing even as I say it. Lance gives me an amused look, but shakes his head.
“We’ll have time for that in the future-”
“Lance!”
“But this is something else,” Lance assures me, there’s a glint of mischief in his eyes that makes my heart go crazy wild.
I sniff, “Okay. Just put it on then, mate.” Lance takes the cloth around my eyes so that I cannot see anything.
“How many fingers am I holding up?”
Since I couldn’t see anything, I took a guess, “Uh 3?”
“Good answer.” Lance takes my hand, but I can barely walk.
“Promise me you won’t make me run into a tree?” I ask him, holding out my other free hand.
“We’re almost there, don’t worry.” Lance parks the car. “I’ll help you out.” I wait until Lance opens the car door, and he takes both of my hands. “It’ll be easier if I could carry you.”
“Please do not,” I mumble. We walk for a solid five minutes until Lance stops.
“So, Ava, my dear mate. You always forget you have a job.”
“Put me on blast, Lance.” Okay, so sometimes I forget. Lance takes off my blindfold, and sure enough Books for Peeps is right in front of us. Is Lance going to make me work? Is this some part of a fun date idea? I mean, yeah, reading together would be cute.
“It’s yours.”
“What...” I look sideways at Lance. “Do you mean?” Lance pulls something out of his pocket. A set of keys.
I stare at the key and Lance raises an eyebrow. “Go ahead and open it.”
“You bought me a bookstore?!” I exclaim, trying to open the door with the key. With one click, Books for Peeps opens up. I jump hug Lance who doesn’t expect it and stumbles a step backwards before hugging me tightly and pulling my feet off the ground.
Lance shrugs, a faint red blushing his cheeks. “I know how much you liked working here, so I thought why don’t you be the boss of it? Beth was soon going to retire anyways, so I told her I’d buy the store for her and enough retirement money to last the rest of her life and her grandchildren’s lives.”
“Lance…” I am speechless. I owned a freaking bookstore. How crazy. “I-”
Lance places two fingers on my lips, effectively shutting me up. “This is a gift of all the birthdays I missed.” Ideas about the bookstore are already popping in my head. Beth did an amazing job at the bookstore because it was very quaint. Maybe we could millennial it up and put a coffee shop in it...
Locking up my newly owned store, both Lance and I still went to venture in the same town even though it was getting dark. Holding hands, we took a walk through the small town, and at a small courtyard, there was music playing and people dancing in the middle of it. Christmas lights were strung above the courtyard, making it the picture perfect place to dance. Earlier in the day, it was the perfect weather, but now it was a little chilly.
Lance turns to me, “May I have a dance?”
I remember our first one. “Are you sure?” I crinkle my nose. “Remember last time?”
“Thoroughly enjoyed it last time,
” Lance answers me, and that’s all the answer I really need from him.
Lance places his hands on my waist, and I place my head on his chest, feeling his warmth and comfort. He tightens his hold as we sway- it’s so easy to just sway with him doing most of the work to be honest. Warmth radiating from his body keeps me from being chilly.
His voice is low as his lips brush my ear causing me to shiver, “Did you have a good time?”
“Always when I’m with you.”
Lance dips me back, an unmistakable angelic smile playing on his lips as he brings my lips to his, letting me know that there’s going to be way more moments like this.
Right now, life is pretty solid for once.
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ONE
Four hundred ninety-five days until I’m done with high school and off to college. Seventy weeks and five days until I don’t have to sit here and listen to the teachers pressuring us.
Sixteen months and fifteen days, and I’m out of this shit town. And finally, one year and four months until I can start a new life and perhaps reveal my true self to the world. But for now, all I can do is pay attention to class and—
A loud bang wakes me up in an instant. I lift my head, my dark curls bouncing on my shoulders as I do so. The chuckles of my classmates resound in the room. I look up at the narrowed, wrinkly hazelnut eyes set on me.
Mr. Lockwood stands with my book in hand, slapping it against his palm a few times. Does he want to give me another heart attack?
“Ehm . . . yes?“ I say in a low voice as I straighten my back on the uncomfortable chair.
“Miss Heartfilia, am I boring you?“ he asks, putting the book back on the desk.
Well, yes! Your voice is like a lullaby, ready to tuck me into bed and put me to sleep.
“No, sir,“ I say instead, lowering my gaze.
“Then please go to the board and solve the equation,“ he says, making me mentally groan.
Don’t get me wrong, I like math, it’s just not one of my favorite subjects. However, I’m good at it and glad to understand it without even trying. It’s even useful for my career. What I don’t like is the associated teasing directed toward specific people.
The equation is pretty easy, and by the time I finish writing it down, the bell rings. I hastily pack my things and leave, already tasting the piece of decent quality meat one of my friends will give me.
Hundreds of people walk out of their classes and chatter soon fills the recently empty hallway. I walk past the lines of dark green lockers and through the swarm of bodies heading in the same direction. As I enter inside the cafeteria, my eyes roam around in search of a blonde and brunette.
The room is surrounded by huge glass windows with the rays of the sun illuminating it. Light wooden round and rectangular tables are scattered around. I spot my girls already at a table near the serving counter, and damn, they’re fast.
I walk up to them, dismissing the feeling of being watched by a certain someone.
“How did you guys get here so fast?“ I ask, putting my bag on a wooden chair.
A proud smirk appears on their lips as they stand up, getting in line to get the delicious food our cafeteria has to offer.
My eyes catch a short, dark-haired boy being shoved behind by a couple of girls with eyes turning a dark color before turning back to a natural blue. I can’t help but roll my eyes at the injustice and discrimination the school has.
“We went to the bathroom five minutes before the bell rang,“ Taylor says, pulling her blonde, thick hair behind her shoulder.
“She was also running away from Trevor,“ Bella adds, sighing.
I’m not even surprised. Taylor and Trevor have been going back and forth since that night.
“That’s not true! I was simply avoiding having to waste my time by listening to him,“ Taylor says, straightening her back and looking toward the old cafeteria lady.
I turn to Bella, already having her bright brown eyes on me. We exchange a knowing look before shaking our heads at the same time. It’s a look that translates to she still likes him.
The lady studies Taylor for a moment, her nose taking her scent in before sliding open the door of the steel worktable.
She grabs a tray from inside and hands her real delicious food with raw meat and vegetables on the side. Taylor’s blue eyes sparkle as she thanks her.
Meanwhile, I get mashed potatoes that look tasteless and unseasoned chicken. It’s unfair. I scrunch my nose at the sight of it. I bet prison food tastes like a five-star meal in comparison to this. When we turn around, we catch a well-known group sitting down at our table and throwing my bag on the floor.
How dare they.
My hands tightly grip the tray and my feet move on their own until I find myself at the table with Taylor and Bella nearby. I can’t believe Trevor is doing all of this for her.
“That’s our place.“ My voice comes out in a whisper that makes me mentally groan. I didn’t want to sound weak.
Their strong scent of woods fills my nostrils. I can feel the other part of me scrunch her nose.
Dear Trevor turns to a side and raises his eyebrow, his eyes scanning me from head to toe.
Is he serious?
I mimic him, letting my eyes travel down his tense athletic black body. His plump lips are in a thin line, and his cold dark eyes move from me to Taylor.
“Not anymore. Walk away,“ Trevor says, waving his hand around.
“No, you walk away. We were here first, and I do have to remind you that I’m no mortal or pop, so I won’t give up my table to you,“ Taylor says, throwing her tray in the middle of the table. She stands tall, tilting her head at her ex-boyfriend.
Ah, there it is.
Welcome to the school’s castes. Castes that have been present for many generations, and are known by werewolves and humans. Supernatural, better known as Creatures, have been secretly living amongst humans for centuries. Said humans shouldn’t know about the creatures, but it’s hard to keep our voices down when you live in a town that is under the werewolves’ control.
That brings me back to the school’s castes.
There are three to be specific. The highest one is the Beast, who are werewolves close to the alpha’s family or have a financially valuable impact in town. Humans think only the richest people belong to that group.
The second one is the pops, who have a mix of werewolves and humans. In that group, both species are popular with either a good or bad reputation. A good reputation such as Bella’s whose family is known for being good at their medic jobs and bad reputation such as the human typical bad boy of the school.
Finally, there’s the Mortals, my group; that include everyone who’s a common human. Well, an outcast from the humans’ perspective. It’s not fair, but after years, you eventually get used to it.
“Your name isn’t engraved on this table,“ Trevor says through gritted teeth.
Taylor laughs. “Funny you said that because it actually is. Look on the edge. My name should be somewhere. You know how much I love doodling around,“ she says while everyone starts looking for her name.
Only one person doesn’t look for it. Bright blue eyes that remind me of the sky on a sunny bright day are looking at me with no emotion behind. Blake Harrison, the boy who’s contented to watch me from afar instead of making conversation.
He’s been doing it ever since middle school. At first, I used to find it kind of creepy, but then I got used to it and just let him do his thing. At least he’s not snapping at me like he used to.
With a sigh, I look back into his eyes, raising an arched eyebrow.
Another person might have looked away, but he doesn’t. Instead, he does this little forced smile with that downward-turned lips of his, adding an awkward wink. My nose scrunches at the sight.
Weirdo.
“Oh, I found it,“ one of the girls who are at the table s
ays.
Trevor lets out an animalistic growl while Taylor smirks at him.
“Here we go again,“ Bella says under her breath. We sigh in sync, already knowing where this is going.
“I’m gonna scream if you don’t get up and go,“ Taylor threatens. Everyone looks at Trevor.
“One . . .“ she says, tilting her head to the side.
The girls gulp while Taylor looks at Trevor with a wicked smirk. “Two . . .“
The boys look at Blake as I wince, ready for her high-pitched scream.
“Three.“ Taylor opens her mouth when the future alpha decides to speak up.
“Don’t scream. That’s an order,“ Blake says, his voice deep and low. Taylor’s mouth immediately closes, and she clenches her jaw in anger.
Trevor stands up and grabs a strand of her hair with a smirk. “We’re just at the beginning, babe,“ he says as Taylor slaps his hand away from her.
“Let’s go,“ Blake says, walking away with the others following him.
My eyes stay on him as we sit down and start eating. I can sense the other part of me watching him with interest, noticing the way her nose doesn’t scrunch up for his scent.
“That was something,“ Bella says, putting a lock of short, dark and wavy hair behind her ear.
Taylor snorts. “Tell me about it.“
“You know it looks like Trevor is still hooked on you,“ I say to her, and Bella agrees with me with a nod.
Taylor gives me a sour look. “Catherine.“
I mimic her expression. “It’s true. Look, I know what Trevor did was fucked up, but he fell in love with you, and in his own twisted mind, he’s trying to win you over again. What just happened is proof of that. They’ve never done something like this and—“
“And it’s been a month. I’m done,“ Taylor says, shaking her head.
Bella sighs, putting a hand on Taylor’s shoulder in a comforting way. “A month after a two-year relationship.“
She looks down, quickly blinking back her tears. “Let’s just change the subject, please.“
I smile at her with a saddened look.
